CN Guidance and Counseling Services has recently opened a dedicated Community Crisis Center in Hicksville, one of a dozen such intensive crisis stabilization centers launching across New York State. The centers aim to address access-to-care issues and implement strategies to divert people from unnecessary emergency room visits. The Hicksville center offers an effective alternative to hospital emergency departments for people facing mental health and substance use crises.
Access Challenges
Nationwide, wait times average 48 days between a person’s first contact and first mental health appointment, according to the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. On Long Island, Mount Sinai South Nassau found that 36% of residents polled faced challenges finding a provider. When seeking crisis care, people often turn to emergency rooms, where visits can exceed 10 hours. Long Islanders arriving at emergency rooms in psychiatric crisis typically wait 46% longer than patients nationwide. At nearly 6 hours, Long Island psychiatric patients’ average time in emergency departments was around two hours longer than national averages.
Services and Operations
The Community Crisis Center operates 24/7/365, offering services to people in crisis age 5 and older. Services include screening, assessment and short-term stabilization, psychiatric evaluation with medication management, immediate therapeutic remedies, medication management for people overcoming substance use, on-site detox, and planning and coordination for care after leaving the center. According to Jeffrey Friedman, CEO of CN Guidance and Counseling Services since 2013, the center exists to offer on-demand treatment the moment an individual is ready for help, prevent unnecessary ER visits, provide a more person-centered healing setting, and connect patients to ongoing community-based support.
Funding and Collaboration
Opening and operating a crisis center requires highly trained clinicians, round-the-clock staffing, and specialized facilities designed for safety and comfort, far beyond traditional outpatient offerings. The Community Crisis Center is serving residents because New York State and Nassau County invested $3.5 million combined to build this community resource. Beyond construction costs, New York State prioritized state resources to eliminate barriers to care, providing $1.5 million in operating funds annually. Nassau County, which saw its opioid settlement award as an opportunity to invest long-term in the community, allocated $3 million per year for four years. These commitments reflect recognition that behavioral health care is as essential as physical health care.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://www.newsday.com/opinion/commentary/guest-essays/hicksville-community-crisis-center-hs59n1c8